Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-09
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
The Great Reunion at Evansville,
Indiana.

I -
ations for the Reunion of the Blue
and the Gray, announced for Septcm-
Der 10th, 2lst, 22d and 23d.
This is the first Reunion to which
"all survivors of the late war" have
been invited, that has been Inaugural
ted by Grand Army Post, and is
attracting wide attention as affording
an opportunity for the illustration of
those cordial feelings between the
soldiers of both armies, upon which
the late lamented Gen. Grant based
his dying prophecy that the country
was on the eve of complete restora-
tion of fraternal relations between
the Northern aud Southern people.
From every quarter comes cordial
approval Of the approaching Reunion,
the people and the press responding
with sentiments of patriotism that
arc taken By Fsrragut Post, G. A II /,
as ample reward, in themselves, for
the arduOus labOrs the Post has so
cheerfully assumed to make the event
one Of national significance.
The citizens of Evansville have
generously seconded these efforts by
liberal contributions of "the sinews
of war" TO be used in celebrating
'ihe blessings of peace and the glories
of a union preserved Every house
will be thrown open If necessary, the
determination of our people being
that no tax upon their hospitality
shall be beyond their eager desire to
make known the hearty good fellow
ship they feel toward all their neigh
bors.
The entertainment provided for
visitors, is varied aud full ofinterest,
not alone to the veterans Of the war,
but especially to those now approach
ing middle life, TO whom the war is
but a tradition, yet whose pulses will
quicken with the mimic scenes of that
stirring time, that are to be produced.
The Sham Battle to he participated in
by not less than 1000 men, will little
more than amuse the veterans, who
compare the harmless fusilade to the
slrieks of shot aud shell and the
groans of wounded aud dying, that
linger in their minds like some tragic
memory. But TO the younger genera
tion il will be thrilling episode,
realistic picture of the exciting con-
fict at arms between resolute enemies,
enemies no more forever, God be
praised The younger witnesses of
this mimic battle, will embrace sons
of the Blue and sons ofthe Gray, who,
before five years have rolled by may
be touching elbows in the Grand
Army of the Union, in defense of the
honor and integrity of the Stars and
Stripes. against some foreign foe,
emulating the courage of their fathers,
who, in divided array, made glorious
In history the title of american Sol
der"
The Camp fire Scenes and Incidents
will also be feature of general in
terest, but here the veterans will find
the greatest enjoyment. What happy
hours they viii spend relating with
keen relish the hair-brcadth 'scapes
and heroic exploits, of which the
greater number are, of course, based
upon history, but enough of them of
questionable authenticity to give the
wags aud wits an opportunity to en-
liven the campfire with many quiq
and qnirk, placing the laugh on some
body. How tho camp stories that
passed current during the war, but
which are not all ofa kind publisher
delights TO put In priui, will be re-
told with all the zest that quarter
of century of the reconteur's imagi-
nation has added totheml How "the
boys" will guy each other, and what
fun they will have with their practic-
al Jokes! The Boys in Blue will not
have the field of story asd song all 10
themselves as heretofore. They Will,
for the fret time, have TO try their
metal in the exploits OF camp and
field in friendly rivalry with their
former foes, who wore the Gray.
What swapping of wonderful stories
there will be! What contest be-
tween lively imaginations after the
field of fact has been exhausted! !
How they will try TO outlie each other
in eager contest for first place in the
field Of adventure. God bless them
And when "taps" strike and they.
take leave of each other for the night,
how the grand old fellows will rejoice
that they haye shaken hands over
the graves Of the fallen, and find
themselves brothers once more, under
one government and one flag
The most distinguished Generals
on both sides have been invited, and
assurance has been received from
many that they will be here. The
boys will not be without their favor
lie leaders whom they followed so Of
ten INTO the very jaws of death-into
the mouth of hell. Generals Sher-
man, Sheridan, Rosecrans, Palmer,
Gresham, Slocum, Black, Federal
commanders, and Generals Gordon,
Longstreet, Wheless, Buckner, Duke
aud Fitzhugh Lee, among the Con-
federate commanders, are expected
to be present. These were some of
the chieftains and captains of the
war, and from among their number
there will be several to talk to the
people.
There are to be Competitive Prize
Drills, in which score Of crack COM
panies from North and South, have
already entered. Tho prizes being,
lst, 81 900 I'd, $500, Sd, $500 for the
best drilled Military Company. A
ist prize of $500, and % prize of $500
for the best drilled Battery. And a
prize of $500 for 1st prize and 500 for
% for the best drilled Zouave Com
pany.
A silk Banner costing 500 is given
to the Grand Army Post bringing
the largest number of Uniformed
Members, and similar Banner TO
the largest organization of Confeder-
ates.
A magnificent grove of seventy
acres has been secured for the Camp
and Drill Ground, upon which an
Amphitheatre capable ofseating many
thousands, is rapidly approaching
completion. Ample provision has
been made for tents, and rations will
be issued to the veterans who go into